Acute Nephritis Information

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Acute Nephritis

What is Acute Nephritis?

Acute nephritis involved the kidney structure. It is also referred to as acute glomerulonephritis. Often a seemingly simple infection of the throat or skin may take place. This may be due to a special germ called the streptococcus, and this one is a real troublemaker.

It may take a couple of weeks or more before the kidney symptoms set in, and by then the original infection has most probably totally vanished. It is not even a memory. But the child may feel vaguely ill. There may be blood in the urine, and smaller than normal amounts may be passed. As the child retains fluid, there may be weight gain, headaches, abdominal upsets and a fever.

The condition may gradually or rapidly deteriorate. The blood pressure may increase, and occasionally this has an adverse effect on the brain. There may be mental impairment, vagueness; the patient may be restless, have disturbances of vision, probably convulse and slip into a coma. Fortunately these advanced forms are fairly uncommon, but they are possibilities that parents should be aware of. In due course, these may lead to serious heart and kidney impairment.

Acute Nephritis Treatment

The important feature is for parents to be alert to the possibilities, the risks and the dangers. Blood in the urine is always an ominous sign, and needs prompt investigation. Do not try to selfmedicate. Take the child to the doctor's as a matter of urgency (plus a bottle of fresh urine). Proper investigation and expert treatment as soon as possible will yield the best results.

Progressive Nephritic. Sometimes the acute attack will lead on to this condition, which is also referred to as chronic glomerulonephritis. In this condition the kidneys are seriously damaged and the filtering mechanism is destroyed to the point where blood and protein (or albumen) arc allowed through the straining system. Normally this does not occur and invariably indicates serious damage. Not all cases emanate from acute bouts, for some arrive simply out of the blue.

In the early stages there may be few symptoms. But often vague ill health, fatigue and tiring easily, vomiting, headaches, twitchy movements may take place. There may be mental confusion and disorientation. When examined by the doctor, there may be increased blood pressure, perhaps protein in the urine and probably a swelling of the lower limbs commonly referred to as oedema. Specific tests will show a lot of blood ?,nd protein in the urine. This may be a as to the severity of the disease.

Once more there is no place for simple, ±o-it-yourself forms of treatment. The gild may be admitted to a large hospital quipped to investigate and treat cases -uch as this. It is essential for expert medical care and nursing to be available. Recovery may be a long-drawn-out process. I hope that parents may be alerted by our words to the dangers of abnormal disorders of the urinary system. Only rapid detection and appropriate action mill achieve good results.

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